In an interview with ESPNNY earlier in the week, Ichiro Suzuki said no way he is retiring after this season. The 40 year old Ichiro claimed that he hopes to play “many” more seasons. “Not just a few,” he said. “Many. For me, I feel there’s no reason for me to retire right now.”
Ichiro has 2,742 career MLB hits, third most among active players behind teammates Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. The 10 time All Star figures he will have a diminished role this season with the signing of Carlos Beltran and Jacoby Ellsbury on top of Alfonso Soriano and Brett Gardner on the roster. “I don’t know how I’m going to feel once the season starts,” he said. “I don’t know what it’s going to be like. But right now, it doesn’t change the way I prepare myself throughout the spring.”
“When I first signed here, I knew what I was getting into,” Ichiro said. “I knew every year there would be changes and things would happen that maybe we can’t control. But I can’t allow that to affect the way I prepare or go into the season.” He batted a career low .262 in 150 games last season and is the odd man out in an overcrowded outfield.
After he collected his 4,000 career hit, people said it didn’t count because they don’t count his Japanese League hits. He stated that he wants to get 3,000 MLB hits so all the naysayers can’t question the validity. He is 258 hits away from the 3K MLB mark. However, he will have to continue his quest for 3,000 not in pinstripes. The Yanks are already crowded in the outfield and he will most likely not be resigned. No matter where he signs he will have to take a limited role in the team, despite still being very productive even at his age.
Other Free Agent Spotlights: David Robertson / Alfonso Soriano / Hiroki Kuroda
